Washington State vs. Confession: Biggest Problem

For Catholics, the sacrament of confession is sacred. It is a place where penitents can speak freely, knowing that what is said remains forever sealed between them, their priest, and God. On July 18, U.S. district Judge David Estudillo defended this sacred trust by issuing a preliminary injunction against Washington State’s Senate Bill 5375, which aimed to compel clergy to break the seal of confession to report suspected child abuse or neglect disclosed during confession, effectively eliminating the priest-penitent privilege.

The statute drew criticism from clergy across the state and the world. Catholic priests, bound by the seal of confession, are absolutely forbidden from disclosing anything revealed in the confessional. Judge Estudillo ruled that forcing priests to violate this oath marked a clear infringement on the free exercise of religion by placing clergy “in the position of either complying with the requirements of their faith or violating the law.”

TT

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Tyler Turman

Tyler Turman is a Young Voices Contributor whose research focuses on social welfare and poverty.

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For Catholics, the sacrament of confession is sacred. It is a place where penitents can speak freely, knowing that what is said remains forever sealed between them, their priest, and God. On July 18, U.S. district Judge David Estudillo defended this sacred trust by issuing a preliminary injunction against Washington State’s Senate Bill 5375, which aimed to compel clergy to break the seal of confession to report suspected child abuse or neglect disclosed during confession, effectively eliminating the priest-penitent privilege.

The statute drew criticism from clergy across the state and the world. Catholic priests, bound by the seal of confession, are absolutely forbidden from disclosing anything revealed in the confessional. Judge Estudillo ruled that forcing priests to violate this oath marked a clear infringement on the free exercise of religion by placing clergy “in the position of either complying with the requirements of their faith or violating the law.”